"The break will be important but equally it’s important that doesn’t happen."

The Blues were held to a 0-0 draw by Swansea at Goodison Park in their last outing, and the 28-year-old believes the visitors' defensive approach conveyed the respect which Everton have earned.

"It was really difficult [against Swansea] and I think they played really well," he added.

"At the back they were really well organised. But I think with the half chances we created we could have won the game, but we were just unfortunate. It was really hard.

"It just shows that they’re respecting our position, of course coming here they know it’s not going to be an easy game, as usual, but I must say that they stuck to their task and it worked for them.

"But, like I said, if you take your half chances, like we created in the first half, then things can be different. If we'd scored one I think it could have been a different ball game. Unfortunately, we didn’t."